I tensed a little when we reached the road to Garden, but instead of turning in, Gabriel kept on going. Once we were nearly a mile past it, he opened up the throttle and I screeched with delight as I clutched his waist a little tighter. "Where are we going?" I called out so that he could hear me.
"You'll see," he said and I saw his mischievous smile in the rearview mirror.
When we reached the base of the mountains, he pulled to a stop and cut off the engine. I knew where we were going. About a quarter mile from where we stood was a small waterfall and a deep pool of icy water, which fed a stream that eventually reached the ocean. I'd been there a few times on training expeditions, and once, you, Julian and I camped there, Daddy. It's the place the islanders claim is bottomless. Anyhow, I followed Gabriel to the spot, and along the way he refused to answer my questions.
"Gabe, what are we doing here? We're supposed to be helping out with preparations for the ball."
"Be patient," he said with a secretive smile.
Minutes later, we arrived at the waterfall, which cascaded down the rocks with a thunderous urgency. I had always wanted to go there alone, but I'd never gotten the chance. Maybe I wasn't exactly alone that time, but at least I was with someone who could appreciate it.
"Thought you might need a little bit of quiet time before tonight," Gabriel said as he sat down on a dry patch of slab nearby.
"Thanks," I said appreciatively as I wiped a few strands of hair from my face.
I sat down beside him and he put his arm around my shoulders. "You're a sorceress now. I don't suppose you'll be needing a knight or anything like that."
Not once had it ever occurred to me that I might need a knight. I gave him a startled stare as I considered whether I needed one or not. Did a sorceress have to take a knight? I tried to remember my History of Sorcery lessons and tried to recall whether or not it was a requirement, and then I turned to the memories of Hyne's decedents I'd inherited from Rinoa. From what I recalled, nearly every sorceress in history had a knight by her side, save a few that had been murderous tyrants, and I recalled only one who'd had a Lady instead of a Knight.
Gabriel laughed at me and kissed me on the cheek. "I was just kidding. You've never been one who needed protection."
I smiled wanly at him and leaned my head into his shoulder. "If I asked, would you be mine?"
"How could I refuse?" he whispered and ran his thumb along my lower lip. "I'll be anything you want me to be, as long as I can spend the rest of my life with you."
"What if I become evil?"
"Then I'll be evil too."
"What if I try to take over the world?"
"Then I'll try to take it over with you."
"And what if I decide to bomb peaceful nations?"
"I'll launch them myself."
"Would you let me dress you up like a girl and call you Cloud?"
"If that's what you want."
"Really? So you'd let me drive your motorcycle whenever I feel like it?"
"That's pushing it," he said with a serious expression on his face.
I laughed and smacked him upside the head. "Idiot." I untied one of the feathers in my hair and smiled. Gently, I touched his right shoulder with it, then his left, and his right again, in the old custom. "I dub thee Sir Leonhart," I said with a serious expression. Then I placed the feather in his hand. He looked at it strangely.
Gabriel pulled me to him then and kissed me with so much passion, I thought he might knock me over, and I was forced to wrap my arms around his neck to prevent myself from falling. When he released me, his cheeks were flushed and he fumbled in his pocket for a moment. I noticed how his hands shook and he averted his eyes from mine. He seemed nervous about something and I sent him a questioning look, of which he didn't see. "What's wrong?" I asked out of concern.
He flashed me an anxious smile and took my hand in his. Without speaking a word, he slipped a ring onto my finger as I stared down at my hand. The ring was a smaller, more feminine version of the infamous Griever ring, much like the ones his parents wore. It wasn't exactly the Griever ring, however. Griever's head faced to the left, and on the right, facing the opposite direction was the head of a wolf with it's teeth bared.
As I gazed at it, I found that I had no words to express what I was feeling. I looked at him with curiosity, not quite understanding why the ring had been modified.
"The lion represents me. The wolf, you."
"Why a wolf?"
"Wolves are loyal to the pack. They protect what belongs to them," he said and shrugged.
I stared back at him and watched a smile play across his lips as I twisted the ring back and forth upon my finger. Daddy, it was a surprise to hear him say that. Almasy has always been associated with snakes, evil serpents, and for him to consider something different told me all I needed to know.
"Thank you," I whispered and leaned my head into his chest.
He cupped my face with his hands. Instinctively, I closed my eyes and let the rest just . . . happen.
As we left the waterfall, I glanced back at the pool, reluctant to leave. In the exact spot we had just vacated sat Rinoa Leonhart, or rather her ghost. She smiled wistfully after us, her eyes little slits that crinkled at the corners, as if she were happy. I lifted my hand in tribute, and she made a motion I'd seen her do many times in the past. She waved us away with one hand and I swear, she giggled a little.
"What?" Gabriel asked, noticing that I'd stopped.
"Just saying goodbye to a friend," I said and turned back to walk the
rest of the way down the past.
******
We arrived at Garden hours late, and by the time we entered the ballroom, it was almost ready. I felt a little guilty at arriving late, when I'd promised I'd be there to help, but Gabriel was more important than any ball. Besides, I didn't care about the ball. I could have cared less about being introduced to the world as a sorceress. The whole production was merely a means to an end. Still, I had to pretend that I was excited about it, though I harbored within me the knowledge that at some point tonight, I would have to commit an act of murder. But, I tried my best to bury those feelings because to dwell on them would put me in a foul mood.
"Where the hell have you two been?" Selphie Kinneas cried as we entered. "The guests will be arriving in a couple of hours, and we still have tons of stuff to do!"
Gabriel could only laugh, and I struggled to answer her. "I'm sorry, Selphie, we were detained. Traffic in Balamb was insane."
"Hmph," she said and crossed her arms as she pouted. "Just get your butts in gear. We still have a lot of work to do."
With that, she ordered us around for an hour, firing commands our way like she was some kind of demented drill sergeant. We moved furniture, set up chairs, hung decorations. It seemed a little ridiculous to go to this extreme, but I supposed the world expected a grand affair, and that's exactly what they were going to get.
I was about to take a break when Xu entered the ball room and made a beeline for me. "Almasy. My office. Now."
"What did I do?" I asked as I stood up, but she didn't hear me. She was already walking away. I threw Gabriel a look from across the room and he merely shrugged and returned his attention to the rows of tables Selphie had ordered him to set up.
I caught up with Xu and followed her to her office and on the way, she spoke not a word to me. I suspected that whatever she had to say to me was important, otherwise she would have felt the need to chew me out as we walked, so as to humiliate me in front of everyone within earshot.
Once the office door was closed behind us I took a seat and stared at her across the desk. "What is it?" I asked.
She rubbed her eyes and sighed. "I've been trying to get ahold of you since this morning, Almasy. I've got some rather ugly news to share with you."
I held my breath, expecting to hear word of someone else I loved dying. I didn't want to hear it if that was the case, but sick curiosity made me ask.
"Some time early this morning, Zoran Danau escaped from the Desert District Prison Facility in Galbadia He was supposed to be sentenced to death this morning at eight a.m. However, when the guards went to his cell, he was gone. We don't know how he got out or where he planned to go but the fact remains, he's now at large, and Galbadian Officials said there's a chance he might strike at Garden."
Inwardly, I groaned. Danau was the last thing I needed to deal with and I had a feeling he was coming for me. This news was enough to bring my good mood to a screeching halt. "There's more than a chance," I mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," I replied and sat up straight. "What does this have to do with me? Danau is Galbadia's problem now."
"No, he's our problem. They've asked SeeD to locate and detain him," she said. "And there is also the matter of all these unfortunate deaths. It's my suspicion that Danau somehow orchestrated them from his cell. He let it be known that he wanted to get revenge, and it looks like he might have a chance."
She was wrong of course, but I held my tongue and merely nodded in agreement. This was not the greatest news, but what could I do? I had other matters to attend to. "Do you think he might attempt to attack Garden tonight?"
"There's no telling, but instinct tells me it's a strong possibility."
"What do you plan to do?" I asked.
"Almasy, my daughter is dying, and I am now burdened with raising her children. I don't have the time or the energy to do this job well. A few years ago, I would have been happy to fill the position, but things are different now. I am only here now as a favor to Squall," she said and her voice had a hint of regret in it. "You can not serve as commander because of your status as a sorceress. The powers that be won't allow that. But that doesn't mean you can't serve as an advisor, and I was hoping that you would have ideas on what to do. You knew Danau best, any clue of what he might have planned?"
I appreciated that Xu felt the need to ask my opinion. Finally, she was giving me some respect, though grudgingly. I did feel a little sympathy for her, though. Liu, her daughter, had been diagnosed with a rare kind of bone cancer, and it wasn't expected that she'd live more than a few more months. The strain of raising two more children, and having to face losing her daughter had taken it's toll. Serving as commander had taken her away from Liu's bedside, away from her grandchildren. "The only thing I can suggest is to give each active SeeD an hour of required guard duty. Put one or two on each exit and seal off everything but the dorms, including the second and third floors."
Xu nodded and made a note on her pad of paper. "That's a good idea, but how do you plan to organize that?"
"Why not alphabetically? A-C the first hour, D-E the second, and so on," I said and shrugged.
Again, she nodded. "I'll make the announcement."
"Am I dismissed?"
"Yes," she said and rubbed her eyes, her weariness evident in her posture. "Just be on your toes, and I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Yes, ma'am," I said.
I was about to close the door, when Xu called my name. I peeked my head inside. "Yes?"
"Uh, I just wanted to say thanks," she said and she stared down at her desk. "I've been really hard on you since the day you enrolled here, and I'm sorry."
"Your apology isn't necessary," I replied.
"It's a shame you can't be commander. For what it's worth, I suspect you'd be a good one."
"Thank you," I said and saluted her. "Coming from you, that means
a lot to me."
*****
I sat on my bed in my dorm room with my legs crossed and my eyes closed. It was coming down to the wire, and I was conflicted about my course of action. What if Gideon didn't show? What if I had neglected some important detail? I had so many questions running through my mind, that I was forced to sit down and focus on what my objective was, and that only. In my rage, I had never questioned anything. Now that I no longer focused on that rage, I was left feeling less than confident, and it was disconcerting. I'd never doubted myself before, but now, I was filled with them.
What I feared most was that I'd fail and lose everyone. I had no question of whether or not I could defeat Gideon. I knew I could, and likely without effort. But I could only defeat him if he showed himself in person. If he chose another course of action, I'd be screwed. I had no plan for that. There wasn't any way I could, really. I was a sorceress, but there was no way I could prevent him from blowing Garden up from afar while he watched safely in the distance. All I could do was hope that he would come.
With great reluctance, I climbed from the bed and took my dress out of it's protective plastic. It wasn't my first choice, for I'd much prefer to wear pants, especially if I would be engaging in combat by evening's end. Still, I'd look quite out of place in suede pants among the tuxedos and gowns, and Selphie Kinneas would murder me if I even considered anything of the sort.
The dress was quite nice, actually, and I'd been sure to select one that would allow for easy movement. It was of crimson velvet with slender straps and it fell just above my knees. The skirt was narrow and silt to mid thigh on both sides. I'd already tested whether or not I could run in it and found I could do so with ease. It was less formal than what most of our guests would wear, but I didn't care.
I pinned my hair up, and then tied the feathers into my hair so that they stuck out to the side. Then, I fastened the spiked collar around my neck and smiled at my reflection. As I stepped back and stepped into a pair of heels, I looked into the mirror and saw my mother's ghost standing behind me.
I spun around to face her, but she was gone. The sight of her
filled my heart with so much turmoil that I very nearly cried. I
felt the rage building inside me once more and I forced it back down as
I took a deep breath. Don't break, Micala. There would
be time for that later.
*****
The ball began without ceremony. The wine flowed, the conversation was light and I felt nothing but anxiety. I tried my best to remain composed, but it was difficult. I searched the faces in the crowd, seeking Gideon or Danau or both, but I saw neither. The whole of high society had come, dignitaries, politicians, ambassadors, even military leaders had showed up to meet the new Sorceress. I shook hands and made conversation with people I didn't know. All the while, I kept my eye on my family and my friends. I didn't care that I seemed distracted. Those I cared about were far more important to me than discussing the current state of Galbadian politics.
There was one special surprise, however, that Selphie had planned without my knowledge. About an hour into the party, Gabriel and Maia took the stage. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Gabriel said into the microphone. Everyone turned towards the stage and grew silent. "Welcome to Garden. As you know, my mother, Sorceress Rinoa passed away recently. It wouldn't be right to celebrate the ascension of a new Sorceress without honoring the one whom she received her powers from. So mom, this is for you," he said and he sat down before the grand piano and began to play a song that everyone knew.
Maia, who had remained silent for Gabriel's speech stepped up to the microphone and her eyes focused on Squall, who had come to stand by my side, and she smiled just a little down at him. Then she began to sing. My eyes misted over at the sound of her voice. She sounded so much like the old recording of her grandmother, and she looked very much like her mother as she stood there and sang her heart out.
When the song finished, there was a deep, stunned silence and then, everyone began to applaud and cheer. Beside me, Squall was having trouble not breaking down in tears as he clapped for his only daughter. He looked both proud and sad and I gave him a comforting pat on the back.
Gabriel approached the microphone and said, "Thank you. It is now time to introduce you to my father, Commander Squall Leonhart."
Squall straightened his posture and approached the podium. He cleared his throat and glanced nervously around the ballroom. "I don't particularly enjoy making speeches, so I'll be as brief as possible."
Gabriel joined me, and wrapped his arm around me protectively. "You two were great," I whispered in his ear.
"Thanks," he whispered back and kissed my cheek.
Up on stage, Squall began his speech. "Every now and then, those of us at Garden encounter a student who excels in every way. It is rare to find a student who can meet your expectations and exceed them. When Micala Almasy enrolled at Garden, I was feared that I was in for trouble. It wasn't her potential I doubted, for I already knew she had more than my own children, just as her father always had more than I. She had the potential to be a better fighter than any one of us in this room, myself and her father included. It was her heritage I feared, her tendency to take after her father. All of you know her father's story, and many of you have labeled him evil, and by extension, the whole of his family. Many of you fear that she will become the next Adel.
"But, I assure you. To know Micala is to love, respect and admire her. Of all my troops here at Garden, there is no one that I'd trust my life with more. If not for her strength these last few weeks, I would not be standing before you tonight. I am proud to say that I watched her grow and mature along side my own children, and I am proud that I will soon be able to call her my daughter in law. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Sorceress Micala Almasy. Micala?"
I was touched by his words, so much so that I stood riveted to my spot, unable to take my place. It sounded so strange to hear myself introduced that way. Sorceress Micala Almasy.
I didn't have a speech prepared, so I hoped as I stepped up to the podium that I wouldn't say anything shocking or ridiculous. "Thank you, Squall," I began. "I have met many of you tonight, and I'm happy that you could all come. I know that many of you fear me, but I want to lay to rest your fears. I'm just an ordinary girl, and my only wish is to be with my family and keep them safe from harm. I have no desire to take over the world, no interest in . . . ."
Suddenly, the floor began to shake, and many of the guests began to scream. Some of them fell to the floor, others stumbled, and some even tried to run. From all around, I heard cries of "The sorceress is doing it!" and "She's the devil!"
"No!" I cried as I realized what was happening. Someone had decided to take the Garden for a little drive. "It's not me! Please, everyone be calm. What you're feeling is the Garden moving, nothing more."
"Micala, what's going on?" Xu asked. "No one authorized this."
"Ask Selphie," I said as I searched the crowd again for any sign of Gideon.
There was a bright flash of light as something nearby exploded and glass rained down over the crowd and it made a strange tinkling sound as it hit the floor. There were screams of pain and agony, shouts of rage and cries of despair. Smoke filled the room, and I leapt off the stage near panic. Everywhere around me was pandemonium. I had lost sight of Squall, Gabriel and Maia, and that worried me. I could only hope as I made my way through the chaos that they were safe and unharmed.
As I reached the doorway, I spied Maia and Gabriel crouched beside Laguna, who was unconscious. There was a deep, bloody gash upon his forehead and a large piece of glass stuck in his chest. I sucked in my breath, though the smoke made it difficult to get much air in.
I ran to them and knelt down beside Gabriel. "Is he all right?" I asked.
Gabriel shook his head no as he looked sadly down at his grandfather. "He's dead."
I bit my lip and closed my eyes. I couldn't help but feel sadness at this news. I'd lost another one, and I feared Laguna Loire would not be the last. "Can you guys fight?" I asked as I held back an ocean's worth of tears. "If you don't want to, you don't have to. I can do this alone if need be."
Maia looked up at me with angry eyes. "I'll fight."
"Gabe?" I asked.
He sighed and stood up. "Me too."
"All right. Go get your weapons and meet me at the elevator."
Both nodded and headed off towards the dorms, while I went in search of someone who might help me calm the panicky patrons. I spied Hiro and Syla Dincht, who were already busy helping to remove a large shard of glass from their father's arm. "Guys," I called as I approached. "I need you to help me out."
"Kind of busy here, Almasy," Hiro said testily as he bandaged his father's wound.
"I meant when you're done."
"I'll help," Syla said.
"Great," I breathed. "All right. I'm going upstairs to stop Garden from moving. When it does, I want you and anyone else you can find to evacuate. Get everyone out of here as quickly as you can."
"Gotcha," Syla said.
"Hiro, when you're finished, help her."
"Who made you boss?" he fired back.
"Will you try not to argue with me, just this once? Just shut up and do what I tell you!"
It was then that a second explosion rocked the building and the room plunged into darkness. The blast was so powerful it sent me reeling into a table and I fell to the floor. I got a good view of the shattered ceiling as I got up, and I saw several men dressed in black preparing to come in. "New orders," I said to Sy and Hiro. "Get rid of those guys, then get everyone out."
The intercom system clicked on and I heard a chuckle echo through the room. "Mi-ca-la . . . lets play hide and seek. I'll hide, you seek," Gideon's voice said from the speakers all around and he chuckled again. My skin grew cold and I could feel my legs grow weak beneath me. So, he had come after all.
It was finally time finish what Gideon had started.
***Notes***
So....this begins the final sequence. Hope you like. I realize that it's terribly long, but it would have been pretty boring without this last section, and the last chapter wasn't terribly exciting....
Someone commented in their review that Micala was too perfect. Hmmm...interesting impression, but I disagree. Strong, but not perfect. :) And definitely cocky. She put her feet on the commander's desk, for Hyne's sake!
Please read and review......